<body><div><img src="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?type=thumbnail_580x000&amp;url=2wItzg_1Gm2afAe00" alt="https://img.particlenews.com/image.php?url=2wItzg_1Gm2afAe00" width="1200" height="600" ><p>TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -An outdoor ice skating rink coming to Evergy Plaza in downtown Topeka is now projected to open to skaters in late December to early January. The rink originally was on track to open in early to mid-December. The delay is due to the addition of a metal canopy over the space to the design.</p><p>“The ice rink has been a dream of many leaders in Topeka for a long time,” Jim Parrish, a chairman of the Downtown Topeka Foundation, said.</p><h2>Canopy added midway through construction</h2><p>Kurt Young, president of the Downtown Topeka Foundation, and Parrish said they realized midway through construction that Evergy Plaza lacked shade. They then added shade to the rink’s design.</p><p>“The plaza has been a raving success, even without the shade, so this adds an additional event space in the summertime with shade, and will make it even more popular,” Parrish said.</p><h2>Foundation and light poles set back construction</h2><p>The metal canopy needs a sturdier foundation and stronger steel light poles. That process has set back construction.</p><p>“It’s just a longer process than ordering a tapered steel light pole,” Young said.</p><p>“Most of the work we’ve been accomplishing the past two weeks has been on the support structures that will be on the east end of the site here,” Young said.</p><h2>Events planned after the winter season</h2><p>Young said he believes the canopy will allow the space to host events after the ice in the rink melts.</p><p>“Weddings, RC car racing, pickleball, you name it, we’ll be able to do it, and have the facilities to do it under the canopy,” Young said.</p><p>“Winter months have always been our slowest months, but by having an ice rink down here, we’ll provide one more dimension that we can bring people into Topeka, as well as locals down to the plaza,” Young said.</p><h2>Cost and funding</h2><p>Young said construction of the rest of the rink, not including the metal canopy, costs close to $1 million. Of that, 70% is coming from private funding and 30% from the city. The canopy still needs funding.</p><p>“This dream that we’ve had in Topeka for a long time for ice can come true, but it’s got to be permanent, and we’ve got to raise the money and build it right here where we are,” Parrish said.</p></div></body>

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TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -An outdoor ice skating rink coming to Evergy Plaza in downtown Topeka is now projected to open to skaters in late December to early January. The rink originally was on track to open in early to mid-December. The delay is due to the addition of a metal canopy over the space to the design.

Topeka ice rink opening delayed by design addition

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TOPEKA, Kan. (WIBW) -An outdoor ice skating rink coming to Evergy Plaza in downtown Topeka is now projected to open to skaters in late December to early Ja

Topeka ice rink opening delayed by design addition

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